The “KISS” Theory of Craps

We’ve all heard of the KISS Theory as applied to many things in life. If you’ve been off-planet for the last thirty years and are not familiar with the KISS Theory – it stands for Keep It Simple Stupid. And I suspect that there’s no were that this theory can be applied better than at the game of craps.

Let’s start with the simplest of decisions. Do you bet the Pass Line or the Don’t Pass Line – or both at the same time – or do you by-pass the Pass/Don’t Pass entirely and just Place bet or Lay bet? Hmmm. So much for keeping it simple. So let’s look into this decision a little deeper.

Both the Pass Line and the Don’t Pass line carry a house edge of approximately 1.41%. Bet $100 on the Pass Line or Don’t Pass Line for 100 decisions and you will have wagered $10,000. According to casino math, over the long run you’ll lose $141 over the course of those 100 bets. That assumes a random game, of course. Add in the fact that the Pass Line wager is a contract bet – once you make it and a point is established you cannot take it down until it wins. It gets taken down by the house when it loses. You can, of course, take down a Don’t Pass bet at any time, but why take it down once the point is established, since you’ll have an edge over the house on the bet at that point.

So, I’ll play the Doey’ Don’t – you think. Some people will attempt to do the math on this play and tell you that the house has a 2.82% edge on the wager. That is not correct. It has a 1.41% edge on each of the two wagers. Yeah, it totals up to the same amount. I’m just trying to adhere to the KISS theory here. Bottom line – you’re paying a higher vig on your wagers when you attempt to hedge with the Doey-Don’t. Plus you kill your casino rating. Unconvinced? No problem. Bring your significant other to the casino with you. One of you can play $100 Pass Line bets while the other plays $100 Don’t Pass bets. But don’t be surprised at the end of your 100 decision session if you are down a combined $282.

That takes us to passing on the Pass Line and Don’t Pass Line wagers and just Place or Lay betting. But which numbers to choose? The math of the game tells us that Place Betting the six or eight is the best bet unless the casino only collects the commission on Buy bets a win – in which case the Buy bet on the four or ten is marginally better. But just as important as which numbers to bet is the question – how long do I leave my bets open? Then there’s the question about regressions, progressions, et al. The list goes on and on. And, of course, if you don’t have a positive EV then it probably doesn’t matter much over the long run how you handle your bets. Over the long run you’re still going to lose.

So let’s REALLY talk about keeping it simple and think in terms of how to gain an edge at casino craps. Well, the only guaranteed way to do that (assuming you can do it and keep out of jail) is to cheat. Since that’s not an option in my book let’s think in terms of something a little less likely to run us afoul of the law. I can see a couple of ways to achieve this, but the one that makes most sense to me is to gain an edge through my ability to influence the dice. But that brings up another set of problems. Do you toss the dice backhanded, underhanded, or sidehanded. Do you set the dice side by side or stack them? Do you shoot from next to stick, the hook, or straight out? Do you land the dice close to the back wall, far from the back wall, in the middle, or in the hook? Yeah, it puts you in another quandary.

Perhaps the real key is to do what’s simplest for YOU. We’re all wired differently, and some people function better tossing underhanded from stick right while others are naturals backhanding the dice from straight out. Some of us are completely comfortable making Pass Line and Come bets with max odds. The thought of using anything other than Place bets with early steep regressions scares the hell out of others. The only persons who don’t seem to be bothered by much of any of this are the Don’t players – who stand quietly at the end of the table and play the same game over and over and over. Come to think of it – that’s pretty simple as well.

The real “KISS Theory” of craps? If you toss the dice down the table, then they bounce up and “kiss” each other before tumbling off in opposite directions – well, you’re going to feel pretty stupid when you hear the stick call. Or maybe not. Maybe you’re playing the Don’ts.

Dice Control Seminar DVD

Heavy's Axis Power Craps Dice Control Seminar is now available on DVD!
This is the breakthrough video that sent the competition back to the drawing board. This was first professionally produced DVD demonstrating the mechanics of a controlled dice shot. Here are a few of our customer comments on the DVD:

Heavy doesn't just tell you what to do - he SHOWS you what to do."

"The other guys promised me gold - Heavy delivered."

"Heavy has thrown another winner!"

"Fixed my toss and made me a winner."

This DVD includes the portion of the seminar that deals specifically with the mechanics of the grip and toss, along with roughly twenty minutes of tossing and coaching live at the craps table. You'll see Heavy and his students setting and throwing the dice with the camera running real time to show the results.

Altogether you'll receive almost three hours of player education featuring the best dice sets, grips, tosses, and more. In addition, we cover betting strategies, money management, discipline, focus, the mental edge, and playing the comp game to win. You'll also receive the e-versions of the seminar workbook, manuals from our other seminars, handouts and strategy cards as an added bonus. Order now and we'll also include a copy of Heavy's"Crapshooter's Buffet" audio CD - recorded live at the Las Vegas Craps Festival in 2001.

Order the Axis Power Craps Seminar on DVD via PayPal below for just $189.00 plus shipping and handling. US customers add $6 shipping and handling - $195 total. Canadian customers add $16 shipping and handling - $205 total. Order on-line via PayPal below:
APC DVD
The Axis Power Craps Clinic on DVD - it's the next best thing to being there!

Join the Axis Power Craps Forum

Heavy’s Axis Power Craps E-Book

Buy Heavy's Axis Power Craps Manual!
Axis Power Craps details five skill sets almost anyone can learn. Master these and you too can become a precision craps shooter. Order now and find out how!

Axis Power Craps includes betting strategies for every dice pre-set arrangement. Precision dice shooting works for both right-way and wrong-way play. Your package features an instructional 100 page workbook with dozens of photographs of dice pre-sets and grips. Each book comes with two shirt-pocket precision dice shooting strategy cards, as well as practice forms you can duplicate and use to record your rolls.
Axis Power Craps is just $19.95 in e-book format. You will receive the book via e-mail within 24 hours of making payment. The dice setting strategy cards will be sent via 1st class mail, so be sure to include your mailing address. Order on-line through PayPal at this link:

If you prefer to pay by check or money order, send your remittance to:

Steve "Heavy" Haltom
P.O. Box 7094
Tyler, Texas 75711

Be sure to include your shipping address and e-mail address for order confirmation.

Sign Up for our Newsletter

First Name:

Email address:

Heavy is Availble for Private Craps Lessons

Looking for private craps lessons to sharpen your skills? Heavy is available for private lessons in his Craps Pit in East Texas, live in Las Vegas, Biloxi or Tunica, or right at home in the comfort of YOUR craps pit. A private lesson makes a great birthday or anniversary present and his highly recommended if you’re ramping up for an upcoming trip to Vegas.

3 hour Friends, Spouses and Significant Others Private Lesson for Two on Basic to Intermediate Craps and Dice Control - $599

6 hour Friends, Spouses and Significant Others Private Lesson for Two on Basic to Intermediate Craps and Dice Control – includes lunch - $899

8 hour “Six Pack” Group Private Lesson on Basic to Intermediate Craps and Dice Control. Up to six players can take over Heavy’s craps pit for a full-blown Axis Power Craps private seminar, including Heavy’s TrendMaster Betting Class as an added bonus. Price includes lunch and libations. Designated driver required. $595 per person with a four person minimum.

Looking for private lessons in Vegas, Biloxi, or Tunica? All classes conducted in a casino dealer school on authentic casino craps tables. You and up to six of your friends can take over the school for the day for the full Axis Power Craps private seminar – including Heavy’s TrendMaster Betting Class as a special bonus! That’s 8 hours of group time with Heavy. Price includes dealer school rental and a pizza lunch delivered to the school. $795 per person with a four player minimum. Add a live casino session with Heavy for just $100 per person more with a four player minimum. A 60 day advanced reservation is required to insure availability of the dealer school.

If you have a private table in your home and would prefer to take a class on it - private lessons are available for you as well. Final cost will depend on your location and travel expenses incurred relative to the class. A private Axis Power Craps class, including Heavy’s TrendMaster Betting Strategy training for you and up to five of your friends will likely run around $695 per person with a four person minimum. Final price will be determined at time of registration.

Please note: Classes are available on weekends only and must be booked a minimum of 30 days in advance. 60 day advance registration required for Las Vegas, Tunica, and Biloxi. Need more details? E-mail Heavy direct at axispowercraps@gmail.com with the Subject line: Private Lessons for an immediate response.

Axis Power Craps Dice

Axis Power Craps Dice!
Looking to sharpen your practice skills with regulation casino dice? Look no further. Axis Power Craps is proud to offer these beautiful 3/4 inch flush-spot, razor edge, high polished dice.
Created from an exclusive cellulose acetate formula developed to insure clarity, hardness and stability, these dice are milled to 1/10,000th of an inch and certified perfectly balanced. They are the perfect dice to take your practice sessions to the next level.
Each five-die stick is serialized and stamped with the Axis Power Craps logo. Designed with precision dice shooter practice in mind, these dice are only sold in two-stick sets containing one stick of red dice and one stick of green dice. Both sticks have matching serial numbers. Your cost? $39.99 plus $3 shipping and handling - just $42.99 total.
To order and pay by mail send your remittance payable to: